Jai Daniel Hawkins guilty of graffiti, possession of cannabis & weapon

A magistrate has told a teenager to “buy a canvas” and to pay $7k after he tagged community organisations and called it art.

Jai Hawkins with his "art".

A Gympie teenager has been ordered to pay more than $7300 to community groups after a graffiti rampage on sports facilities, public toilets and a scout centre.

Jai Daniel Hawkins, 19, must pay the restitution after pleading guilty to 10 offences related to graffiti, and drugs and weapon possession between November 10 and December 19 last year.

Magistrate Bevan Hughes said the “victims” of the graffiti were community organisations.

Vandalised facilities included the Gympie’s Reg English Tennis Centre, the Curra public toilet facilities, the Gympie Scout Association, and the Lion’s Club.

When police searched Hawkins’ home they found a bag of cannabis, as well as a used glass water pipe with a mix of tobacco and cannabis.

Police also found a folding single-edged blade.

The court was told that Hawkins collected knives and allegedly had not known the weapon was unlawful.

Police also found 17 valium tablets.

Hawkins said he had bought the valium from an acquaintance but refused to provide a name.

“His dad is a guidance counsellor,” said the defendant’s lawyer Chris Anderson.

He told the court that Hawkins was acting out after witnessing his father being stabbed four years ago.

Mr Anderson claimed Hawkins “has been using this art as an outlet”.

“If you want to express your own talent, buy a canvas,” Mr Hughes responded.

Jai Hawkins and his "art".

Jai Daniel Hawkins, 19, must pay over $7300 in restitution.

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When Hawkins talked back, Mr Hughes said “I suggest you don’t speak because then I’m concerned you don’t get it”.

Hawkins was issued with a graffiti removal order.

He must spend 40 unpaid hours removing the graffiti.

He also received a community service order to “pay back to the community”, and must pay the hefty restitution.

Originally published as Jai Daniel Hawkins guilty of graffiti, possession of cannabis & weapon